Grants Available For Water Quality Improvement

East Hampton Town is accepting applications for water quality improvement projects, which will be paid for through the town’s Community Preservation Fund.

Eligible projects are not limited to wastewater treatment systems, including anything that would lead to the “abatement of pollutants from point and non-point sources, and aquatic habitat restoration.”

The town is able to invest up to 20 percent of CPF money, which is funded through a two-percent tax on real estate transfers.

This particular set of grants targets various “municipal, commercial, multi-family, or high-density residences, and properties owned by not-for-profit entities,” Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc said, adding the program differs from the Septic Incentive Program, which provides grants to property owners for septic system upgrades. “It is designed to provide higher grant funding awards for large-scale projects that can have a significant impact on water quality,” he said.

Applications will be considered twice a year. The deadline to apply for the first round of grants is March 20, and can be done via the Clean Water East Hampton link on the town’s natural resources department page of its website. Those interested can contact also the department at 631-324-0496.